Foliar fertilizer and method for using the same

ABSTRACT

Foliar fertilizer compositions and methods for their use are provided. The subject compositions are aqueous solutions of at least one coenzyme, where the coenzyme(s) is preferably a vitamin B, and more preferably folic acid and/or pyridoxine, where in many preferred embodiments the compositions include both folic acid and pyridoxine. The subject compositions may further include at least one of a carbohydrate source, a complexing agent and a preservative. The subject foliar fertilizer compositions find use in enhancing the growth of a variety of plants through foliar application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of this invention is fertilizers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fertilizers are materials that are used to supply elements needed forplant nutrition. Fertilizer materials may be in the form of solids,semi-solids, slurry suspensions, pure liquids, aqueous solutions andgases. Fertilizing materials may be introduced into a plant'senvironment in a number of different ways, including through addition tothe soil, through application directly to a plant's foliage, and thelike. The use of fertilizers is critical to commercial agriculture asfertilizers are essential to correct natural deficiencies and/or replacecomponents in soil.

In many instances, it is beneficial to apply a fertilizer directly tothe foliage of a plant, i.e. to use a foliar fertilizer. Such instancesinclude situations where a given soil has characteristics such that thetransport properties of nutrients through the soil are poor. In suchinstances, the use of a foliar fertilizing composition overcomes thesoil disadvantages.

As such, a number of different foliar fertilizer compositions have beendeveloped and/or used with a variety of different types of crops.

Despite the number of different foliar fertilizers that have beendeveloped, there is a continued need to develop new compositions. Ofparticular interest would be the development of fertilizer compositionsthat include a minimum of different components, preferably naturallyoccurring components, where such compositions nonetheless provide forsignificant enhancement in plant growth.

Relevant Literature

U.S. Patents of interest include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,473,648; 4,652,294;4,952,229; 5,549,729; 5,582,627 and 5,696,094. Also of interest are JP68-022206 and EP 161395.

References of interest include: Berrie, "The Effect of Sucrose Sprays onthe Growth of Tomato," Physiologia Plantarum (1960) 13: 9-19; Brasher etal., "Foliar Nutrition Sprays on Vegetable Crops" Bullentin No. 295,(April 1953)(University of Delaware, Newark Del.); Klinker et al.,"Effect of Foliar Applications of Urea, Sucrose, and Dextrose on TomatoYield and Quality," Bulletin 595 (April 1953)(Kentucky AgriculturalExperiment Station)(University of Kentucky); Mederski et al., "FoliarFertilization of Plant Crops," Research Circulation (1956) OhioAgricultural Experimentation Station; and Went et al., "Growth Responseto Tomato Plants of Applied Sucrose," American J. Botany (1948) 35:93-106.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Foliar fertilizing compositions and methods for their use are provided.The subject compositions are aqueous solutions that include at least onecoenzyme, where the coenzyme(s) is preferably a vitamin B, and morepreferably at least one of, and in many embodiments both of, folic acid(vitamin Bc) and pyridoxine (vitamin B₆). The subject fertilizingcompositions may further include at least one of a carbohydrate source,a complexing agent and a preservative. The subject compositions find usein methods of enhancing plant growth through foliar application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Methods and compositions for enhancing plant growth are provided. Thesubject compositions are aqueous solutions of at least one coenzyme,where the coenzyme(s) is preferably a vitamin B, and more preferably atleast one of, and many cases both of, folic acid and pyridoxine. Thesubject compositions may also include one or more of the followingagents: (a) a carbohydrate source; (b) a complexing agent; and (c) apreservative. The subject compositions find use in methods of enhancingplant growth where the compositions are applied to the foliage ofplants, i.e. the subject compositions find use as foliar fertilizers. Infurther describing the subject invention, the compositions will bedescribed first followed by a discussion of methods for their use.

Before the subject invention is further described, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the particularembodiments of the invention described below, as variations of theparticular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope ofthe appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminologyemployed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and isnot intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present inventionwill be established by the appended claims.

In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a,""an," and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionbelongs.

The compositions used as foliar fertilizers in the subject methods areaqueous compositions that include at least one coenzyme. Coenzymes ofinterest include: biotin, vitamin B compounds, inositol, etc. Inpreferred embodiments, the coenzyme is a vitamin B. By vitamin B ismeant a water soluble vitamin which is generally a member of the vitaminB complex. Specific vitamin B compounds of interest include: vitamin B₁(thiamine); vitamin B₁ disulfide (thiamine disulfide); vitamin B₁ propyldisulfide (thiamine propyl disulfide; prosultiamine); vitamin B₂(riboflavin); vitamin B₂ phosphate (riboflavin monophosphate); vitaminB₃ (nicotinamide, niacin, nicotinic acid); vitamin B₄ (adenine); vitaminB₅ (pantothenic acid); vitamin B₆ hydrochloride (pyridoxinehydrochloride); vitamin B₁₂ (cyanobolamin); vitamin B_(12r) (vitamin B₁₂-Co(II)); vitamin B₁₂ coenzyme (cobamamide); vitamin B_(12a) ; vitaminB_(12b) ; vitamin B_(12c) ; vitamin B_(12d) ; vitamin B_(12p) ; vitaminB_(12s) ; vitamin B₁₃ (orotic acid); vitamin B_(x) (p-aminobenzoic acid,PABA); and vitamin B_(c) (folic acid).

While the foliar fertilizer composition may include one or moredifferent vitamin B compounds, preferably the composition includes oneor two different vitamin B compounds, where the vitamin B compounds arepreferably folic acid and pyridoxine, where the foliar fertilizercomposition may include just one of, or both of, folic acid andpyridoxine. The amount of each of these coenzymes will be effective toenhance the rate of growth of the plant to which the composition isapplied.

In preferred embodiments in which folic acid and/or pyridoxine are thevitamin B compounds, the amount of folic acid (i.e.N-[4[[(2-Amino-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-6-pteridinyl)methyl]amino]benzoyl]-L-glutamicacid, PGA, liver Lactobacillus casei factor; vitamin Bc; vitamin M,folsaure, cytofol; folacin, foldine, foliamin, foliacet, folipac,folettes, folsan, folvite, inafolic and millafol) will range from about0.50 to 20, usually from about 0.50 to 10 and more usually from about1.0 to 5.0 ppm w/w, where in many embodiments the preferred range in thecomposition that is applied to foliage is from about 1.0 to 3.0 ppm w/w,and more preferably from about 1.0 to 2.0 ppm. Generally, the amount ofpyridoxine or vitamin B₆ (e.g. from pyridoxine hydrochloride,5-hydroxy-6-methyl-3,4-pyridinedimethanol hydrochloride; pyridoxolhydrochloride, vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, pyridoxinium chloride,adermine, hydrochloride, bonasanit, hexabione hydrochloride,hexabetalin, hexavibex, pyridipea, pyridox, becilan, benadon, hexermin,campovitron 6, hexabion ) will range from about 0.50 to 20, usually fromabout 0.50 to 10 and more usually from about 1.0 to 5.0 ppm w/w, wherein many embodiments the preferred range in the composition that isapplied to foliage is from about 1.0 to 3.0 ppm w/w, and more preferablyfrom about 1.0 to 2.0 ppm. As mentioned above, in many embodiments ofthe invention the foliar fertilizer composition includes both of theabove coenzymes, where the amounts of each enzyme are the same as thosedescribed above, such that the total coenzyme amount (i.e. the amount ofboth of the above coenzymes together) in the composition ranges fromabout 1.0 to 40, usually from about 1.0 to 20 and more usually fromabout 2.0 to 10 ppm w/w, where in many embodiments the preferred rangein the composition that is applied to foliage is from about 2.0 to 6.0ppm w/w, and more preferably from about 2.0 to 4.0 ppm.

In addition to the above coenzymes, the foliar fertilizer compositionmay further include a carbohydrate source. Any convenient carbohydratesource may be employed, where suitable carbohydrates that may be presentin the solution include: monosaccharides, including 4 carbon (e.g.erythrose, threose, erythrulose), 5 carbon (e.g. ribose, arabinose,xylose, lyxose, ribulose, xylulose) and 6 carbon (e.g. alfose, altrose,glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, talose, psicose, fructose,sorbose, tagatose) monosaccharides, as well as disaccharides thereof,e.g. sucrose, lactose, maltose etc., and derivatives thereof, e.g.mannitol, sorbitol etc.; where in many embodiments the carbohydrate willbe one or more of a carbohydrate selected from the group consisting ofglucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, lactose, sorbitol, and mannitol.The total amount of carbohydrate in the foliar fertilizer composition,e.g. combined amount of the disparate types of carbohydrates present inthe composition, will generally range from about 10,000 to 900,000,usually from about 10,000 to 850,000 and more usually from about 10,000to 500,000 ppm w/w, where in many embodiments the amount will range formabout 10,000 to 600,000 and more usually from about 50,000 to 250,000ppm w/w.

The subject foliar compositions may further include one or morecomplexing agents, where by "complexing agent" is meant a chelatingagent, i.e. an agent that is capable of complexing with a metal ion.Complexing agents of interest include: humic acid, fulvic acid, ulmicacid, citric acid, amino acids, nucleic acids, lignosulfonates, e.g.Ca--, K--, Na--, and ammonium lignosulfonates, EDTA, EDDA, EDDHA, HEDTA,CDTA, PTPA, NTA and the like. The total amount of complexing agent inthe foliar fertilizer composition, e.g. combined amount of the disparatetypes of complexing agents present in the composition, will generallyrange from about 100 to 100,000, usually from about 100 to 75,000 andmore usually from about 100 to 50,000 ppm w/w, where in many embodimentsthe amount will range form about 100 to 60,000 and more usually fromabout 1000 to 50,000 ppm w/w.

In addition to the above components, the foliar fertilizer compositionmay further include a preservative agent. While any convenientpreservative agent may be employed, preservative agents of interestinclude: proprionic acid, acetic acid, potassium sorbate, tartaric acid,malic acid and the like, where the amount of preservative in thecomposition will typically range from about 100 to 20,000, usually fromabout 100 to 10,000 and more usually from about 100 to 5,000 ppm w/w.

The above foliar fertilizer compositions are prepared by combining waterwith the various agents under conditions sufficient to produce anaqueous solution containing the various agents. The water that is usedto produce the subject compositions may be tap water obtained from anyconvenient water source, e.g. a municipal water district, where thewater may be purified or otherwise treated, e.g. to remove certainundesirable agents that may be initially present therein. The variousagents to be solubilized in the water to produce the foliar fertilizercomposition may be obtained from any convenient source, e.g. commercialvendor. For example, the carbohydrate component may be derived from acommercially available carbohydrate source, such as high fructose cornsyrup, etc.

In preparing the subject aqueous foliar fertilizer compositions, aconcentrated or parent composition may first be produced, which parentcomposition or mix is then diluted with water, usually at least about 5fold, more usually at least about 10 fold and often at least about 20fold, in order to obtain the final composition that is suitable forfoliar application. In such parent compositions or concentrates, thetotal coenzyme component will typically range from about 1 to 100,usually from about 1 to 50 and more usually from about 1 to 10 (toprovide for a concentration ranging from about 0.5 to 20, usually 0.5 to10 and more usually 1.0 to 5.0 ppm w/w upon dilution as described supra,page 4); the total carbohydrate source component will typically rangefrom about 100,000 to 900,000, usually from about 100,000 to 700,000 andmore usually from about 100,000 to 850,000 ; the total complexing agentcomponent will typically range from about 100 to 100,000, usually fromabout 100 to 75,000 and more usually from about 100 to 50,000; while thetotal preservative component will typically range from about 100 to20,000, usually from about 100 to 16,000 and more usually from about 100to 5,000.

In practicing the subject methods, the foliar fertilizer composition iscontacted with at least a portion of the foliage of the plant for whichgrowth is to be enhanced. By contact is meant that the aqueousfertilizer composition is placed on the surface of the foliage of theplant(s) to be treated, where the term "foliage" is used broadly toencompass not only the leaves of the plant, but every other part of theplant that is not underground, i.e. below the soil surface, such thatthe term "foliage" includes leaves, stems, flowers, fruit, etc. Contactmay be by any convenient methods, including spraying, applying etc.

The amount of aqueous composition that is used during any oneapplication will vary greatly depending on the nature of the plant, thenature of the composition, the environmental conditions, etc. Wherecrops are treated with the subject compositions, the amount that isapplied based on acreage is generally at least about 0.25 to 10 gal peracre, usually at least about 0.25 to 5 gal per acre, and more usually atleast about 0.25 to 2.5 gal per acre, where the amount that is appliedmay be as high as 10 gal per acre or higher, but will usually not exceedabout 5 gal per acre.

Depending on the nature of the plant, the nature of the composition, andthe environmental conditions, as well as other factors, the foliarfertilizer composition may be applied more than once over a given periodof time. As such, the fertilizer composition may be applied daily,weekly, every two weeks, monthly etc.

Where one starts with a parent mix or concentrate, as described above,the subject methods also include a dilution step, in which water iscombined with the concentrate in order to reduce the amount of agent inthe composition. This dilution step will comprise introducing asufficient amount of water to the concentrate to obtain at least about a5 fold dilution, usually at least about a 10 fold dilution, and in manyinstances at least about a 20 fold dilution.

The subject methods, i.e. foliar application of the aqueous composition,result in an enhancement of growth of the plant that is treated, ascompared to a control. By enhancement of growth is meant that over a setperiod of time, the treated plant attains a higher total mass than thecontrol. The amount of enhancement will typically be at least about 5%,usually at least about 10% and more usually at least about 25%, where inmany embodiments the amount of enhancement may be 50% or greater. Inmany embodiments, the amount of enhancement will be at least about 100%.

A variety of different plants may be treated according to the subjectmethods, where such plants include both crop and ornamental plants. Arepresentative list of plants that may be treated according to thesubject invention is provided in Table 1, infra.

The following is offered by way of illustration and not by way oflimitation.

EXPERIMENTAL

I. Folic Acid Composition

A 1 ppm folic acid aqueous solution (FA 1 ppm) was prepared by combining1 mg folic acid with 1 L tap water (obtained from the laboratory tap,Tulock Calif. municipal water supply). Similarly, a 2 ppm folic acidaqueous solution (FA 2 ppm) was prepared by combining 2 mg (amount)folic acid with 1 L tap water.

Rutger's tomato seedlings were sprayed with either tap water, the 1 ppmfolic acid composition or the 2 ppm folic acid composition at 14 dayintervals for 2 months beginning at the 4^(th) leaf stage. 4 sprays wereapplied over the 2 month period. Plants were then cut at the soil lineand air dried for 72 hours. The results are provided in Table 1 below.Weights of plants are expressed in grams.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                               Replications                                                           Treatment                                                                              1       2     3     4   5     Total                                                                              Mean                              ______________________________________                                        Control  58      64    45    55  60    282  56a                               FA 1 ppm 71      74    69    79  75    368  74b                               FA 2 ppm 73      80    78    78  74    383  77b                               ______________________________________                                         ppm expressed as w/w. Mean separation via Duncan's MRT @ 5%.             

II. Pyridoxine Composition

A 1 ppm pyridoxine solution (P 1 ppm) was prepared by combining 1 mgpyridoxine hydrochloride with 1 L tap water. Similarly, a 2 ppmpyridoxine aqueous solution (P 2 ppm) was prepared by combining 2 mgpyridoxine with 1 L tap water.

Rutger's tomato seedlings were sprayed with either tap water, the 1 ppmpyridoxine composition or the 2 ppm pyridoxine composition at 14 dayintervals for 2 months beginning at the 4^(th) leaf stage. 4 sprays wereapplied over the 2 month period. The plants were then cut at the soilline and air dried for 72 hours. The results are provided in Table 2below. Weights of plants are expressed in grams.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                               Replications                                                           Treatment                                                                              1       2     3     4   5     Total                                                                              Mean                              ______________________________________                                        Control  54      58    62    51  59    284  57a                               P 1 ppm  73      74    71    67  65    350  70b                               P 2 ppm  77      73    78    70  68    366  73b                               ______________________________________                                         ppm expressed as w/w. Mean separation via Duncan's MRT @ 5%.             

III. Composition Having Both Pyridoxine and Folic Acid.

An aqueous solution (FA& P@1) having 1 ppm folic acid and 1 ppmpyridoxine was prepared in a manner analogous to that described above.Similarly, an aqueous solution (FA&P@2) having 2 ppm folic acid and 2ppm pyridoxine was prepared.

Rutger's tomato seedlings were sprayed with either tap water, the FA&P@1 composition or the FA& P@2 composition at 14 day intervals for 2months beginning at the 4^(th) leaf stage. 4 sprays were applied overthe 2 month period. The plants were then cut at the soil line and airdried for 72 hours. The results are provided in Table 3 below. Weightsof plants are expressed in grams.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                               Replications                                                           Treatment                                                                              1       2     3     4   5     Total                                                                              Mean                              ______________________________________                                        Control  55      60    50    53  58    276  55a                               FA&P@1   81      85    77    89  92    424  85b                               FA&P@2   90      92    86    95  89    452  90b                               ______________________________________                                         ppm expressed as w/w. Mean separation via Duncan's MRT @ 5%.             

IV. Composition Having Both Pyridoxine and Folic Acid, a Carbohydrate,and a Complexing Agent.

An aqueous solution having 1 ppm folic acid, 1 ppm pyridoxine, 7,000 ppmsucrose, 100 ppm fulvic acid and 100 ppm citric acid was prepared asfollows:

    ______________________________________                                        Material    Source          Amount/L                                          ______________________________________                                        Folic Acid  Pteroylglutamic Acid                                                                            1      mg                                       Pyridoxine  Pyridoxine Hydrochloride                                                                        1      mg                                       Sucrose     Table Sugar       7      g                                        Fulvic Acid 2% Fulvic Acid    5      ml                                       Citric Acid Citric Acid Monohydrate                                                                         109    mg                                       ______________________________________                                    

Rutger's tomato seedlings were sprayed with either tap water or theresultant fertilizer composition (fert.) at 14 day intervals for 2months beginning at the 4^(th) leaf stage. 4 sprays were applied overthe 2 month period. The plants were then cut at the soil line and airdried for 72 hours. The results are provided in Table 4 below. Weightsof plants are expressed in grams

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                               Replications                                                           Treatment                                                                            1       2      3     4     5     Total                                                                              Mean                             ______________________________________                                        Control                                                                               53      62     55    61    63   294   59a                             fert   105     115    134   126   145   625  125b                             ______________________________________                                         ppm expressed as w/w. Mean separation via Duncan's MRT @ 5%.             

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________    VEGETABLE CROPS                                                                         FRUIT & NUT CROPS                                                                          FIELD CROPS                                                                           MISCELLANEOUS CROPS                            __________________________________________________________________________    Artichoke Pome  Apple  Alfalfa Avocado                                        Asparagus       Pear   Barley  Breadfruit                                     Balsam Pear     Quince Beans   Cashew                                         Beet      Stone:                                                                              Almond Buckwheat                                                                             Date                                           Broccoli        Apricot                                                                              Canola  Fig                                            Brussels Sprout Cherry Corn    Maracuja                                       Cabbage         Nectarine                                                                            Cotton  Olive                                          Cauliflower     Peach  Crambe                                                 Celery          Plum   Flax                                                   Chard           Pluot  Millet                                                 Chayote         Prune  Oats                                                   Chinese Cabbage                                                                         Nuts: Black Walnuts                                                                        Peanuts                                                Collards        Brazil Nuts                                                                          Rapeweed                                               Cowpeas         Cashews                                                                              Red Clover                                             Cucumber        Coconuts                                                                             Rice                                                   Cucurbits (group)                                                                             Filberts                                                                             Rye                                                    Eggplant        Hazel Nuts                                                                           Safflower                                              Endive          Hickory Nuts                                                                         Sorghum                                                Garlic          Macadamia                                                                            Soybeans                                               Gherkin         Pecan  Sugar Beets                                            Gourds          Pistachio                                                                            Sugar Cane                                             Kale            Walnuts                                                                              Sunflower                                              Kohlrabi  Misc Nuts.-                                                                         Acorns Tobacco                                                Leeks           Beechnuts                                                                            Wheat                                                  Lettuce         Chestnuts                                                                            Wild Rice                                              Melons          Hackberry                                                     Mustards        Locust Bean                                                   Okra            Oysternuts                                                    Onions          Peanuts                                                       Parsley         Pignolia                                                      Peas            Wingnut                                                       Peppers   Citrus:                                                                             Grapefruit                                                    Rhubarb         Lemon                                                         Scallions       Lime                                                          Shallots        Orange                                                        Spinach         Pomelo                                                        Squash          Tangerine                                                     Tomato    Small Fruit:                                                                        Blueberries                                                                   Brambles                                                                      Cranberries                                                                   Currants                                                                      Gooseberries                                                                  Grapes                                                                        Litchi                                                                        Mango                                                                         Papaya                                                                        Pineapple                                                                     Pomegranate                                                   __________________________________________________________________________    TURFGRASS      PERENNIAL ORNAMENTALS                                          __________________________________________________________________________    African Bermudagrass                                                                         Acanthus   Dodecatheon                                                                            Nepeta                                     Annual Bluegrass                                                                             Achillea   Doronicum                                                                              Oenothera                                  Annual Ryegrass                                                                              Aconitum   Echinacea                                                                              Opuntia                                    Bahiagrass     Aegopodium Echinops Paeonia                                    Bermudagrass   Ajuga      Epimedium                                                                              Papaver                                    Blue Couchgrass                                                                              Alcea      Eremurus Patrinia                                   Blue Grama     Alchemilla Erigeron Penstemon                                  Bradley Bluegrass                                                                            Allium     Eryngium Perovskia                                  Bradley Bermudagrass                                                                         Amsonia    Erythronium                                                                            Phlox                                      Buffalograss   Anaphalis  Eupatorium                                                                             Physostegia                                Centipedegrass Anchusa    Euphorbia                                                                              Platycodon                                 Canada Bluegrasss                                                                            Anemone    Filipendula                                                                            Polemonium                                 Chewings Fescue                                                                              Anthemis   Fritillaria                                                                            Polygonatum                                Colonial Bentgrass                                                                           Aquilegia  Gaillardia                                                                             Polygonum                                  Common Carpetgrass                                                                           Arabis     Galium   Potentilla                                 Common Timothy Arenaria   Gaura    Primula                                    Creeping Bentgrass                                                                           Arisaema   Gentiana Pulmonaria                                 Creeping Red Fescue                                                                          Armeria    Geranium Ranunculus                                 Crested Wheatgrass                                                                           Artemisia  Geum     Rodgersia                                  Hard Fescue    Arum       Gillenia Rudbeckia                                  Italian Ryegrass                                                                             Aruncus    Gladiolus                                                                              Ruta                                       Japanese Lawngrass                                                                           Asarum     Gypsophila                                                                             Salvia                                     Kentucky Bluegrass                                                                           Asclepias  Helenium Santolina                                  Kikuyugrass    Aster      Helianthus                                                                             Saponaria                                  Magennis Bermudagrass                                                                        Astilbe    Heliopsis                                                                              Scabiosa                                   Manilagrass    Aubrieta   Helleborus                                                                             Sedum                                      Mascarenegrass Aurinia    Hemerocallis                                                                           Senecio                                    Meadow Fescue  Babtisia   Hesperis Sidalcea                                   Redtop         Begonia    Heuchera Silene                                     Rough Bluegrass                                                                              Belamcanda Heucherella                                                                            Sisrynchium                                Saint Augustinegrass                                                                         Bergenia   Hibiscus Smilacina                                  Saltwater Couch                                                                              Boltonia   Hosta    Solidago                                   Sheep Fescue   Brunnera,  Houttuynia                                                                             Stachys                                    Slender Creeping Red Fescue                                                                  Caltha     Iberis   Stokesia                                   Smooth Bromegrass                                                                            Campanula  Iris     Tanacetum                                  Tall Fescue    Catananche Kniphofia                                                                              Thalictrum                                 Tropical Carpetgrass                                                                         Centaurea  Lamiastrum                                                                             Thermopsis                                 Turf Timothy   Centranthus                                                                              Lamium   Tiarella                                   Velvet Bentgrass                                                                             Cerastium  Lavandula                                                                              Tradescantia                               Weeping Alkaligrass                                                                          Ceratostigma                                                                             Liatris  Tricyrtis                                                 Chelone    Ligularia                                                                              Trillium                                                  Chrysanthemum                                                                            Lilium   Trollius                                                  Chysopsis  Limonium Tulipa                                                    Cimicifuga Linum    Uvularia                                                  Clematis   Liriope  Verbascum                                                 Convallaria                                                                              Lobelia  Verbena                                                   Coreopsis  Lupinus  Ver6nica                                                  Crocosmia  Lychnis  Vinca                                                     Crocus     Lycoris  Viola                                                     Delphinium Lysimachia                                                                             Yucca                                                     Dianthus   Lythrum                                                            Dicentra   Maiva                                                              Dictamnus  Mertensia                                                          Digitalis  Monarda                                                            Disporum   Narcissus                                           __________________________________________________________________________    ORNAMENTAL TREES                                                              __________________________________________________________________________    Abies (Fir)   Eugenia (Surinam Cherry)                                                                      Podocarpus (Yew Pine)                           Acacia        Fagus (Beech)   Populus (Poplar)                                Acer (Maple)  Feijoa (P Guava)                                                                              Prosopis (Mesquite)                             Acrocarpus (PI Cedar)                                                                       Ficus (Fig)     Prunus                                          Aesculus (R Horsechestnut)                                                                  Frnklinia       Pseudotsuga (Douglas Fir)                       Agathis (Kauri)                                                                             Fraxinus (Ash)  Pseudopanax                                     Agonis (Peppermint Tree)                                                                    Geijera (A Willow)                                                                            Pyrus (Pear)                                    Ailanthus (Tree-Of-Heaven)                                                                  Ginkgo          Quercus (Oak)                                   Albizia (Silk Tree)                                                                         Gleditsia (Honey Locust)                                                                      Quillaja (Soapbark Tree)                        Alnus (Alder) Grevillea (Silk Oak)                                                                          Rhamnus (Italian Buckthorn)                     Amelanchier   Gymnocladus (K Coffee Tree)                                                                   Rhus (Sumac)                                    Angophora (Gum Myrtle)                                                                      Hakea (Sea Urchin)                                                                            Robinia (Locust)                                Araucaria     Halesia (Snowdrop)                                                                            Salix (Willow)                                  Arbutus (Madrone)                                                                           Harpephyllum (Kaffir Plum)                                                                    Sambucus (Elderberry)                           Bauhinia      Harpullia       Sapium (Chinese Tallow)                         Betula (Birch)                                                                              Jacaranda       Sassafras                                       Bombax (Silk-Cotton Tree)                                                                   Ilex (Holly)    Sequoia (Redwood)                               Brachychiton  Juniperus (Juniper)                                                                           Sciadopitys (Umbrella Tree)                     Callistemon (Bottlebrush)                                                                   Koelreuteria    Schinus (Peppers)                               Calocedrus (Incense Cedar)                                                                  Laburnum (G Chain Tree)                                                                       Sophora (Japanese Pagoda)                       Calodendrum (Cape Chestnut)                                                                 Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle)                                                                  Sorbus (Mountain Ash)                           Carpinus (E. Hornbeam)                                                                      Lagunaria (Primrose Tree)                                                                     Stenocarpus (Firewheel)                         Carya (Pecan) Lafix (Larch)   Stewartia                                       Cassia        Laurus (Sweet Bay)                                                                            Styrax (Japanese Snowbell)                      Castanospermum                                                                              Leptospermum (Tea Tree)                                                                       Tabebuia                                        Casuarina (Beefwood)                                                                        Leucodendron (Silver Tree)                                                                    Talauma                                         Catalpa       Ligustrum (Glossy Privet)                                                                     Tamarix (Athel Tree)                            Cedrela (Cigar Box Tree)                                                                    Liquidambar (A Sweet Gum)                                                                     Taxodium (Bald Cypress)                         Cedrus (Cedar)                                                                              Liriodendron (Tulip Tree)                                                                     Thuja (Arborvitae)                              Celtis (Hackberry)                                                                          Lyonothamnus    Tilia (Linden)                                  Ceratonia (Carob)                                                                           Magnolia        Tipuana (Tipu Tree)                             Cercidiphyllum (Katsura)                                                                    Malus (Crabapple)                                                                             Tristania                                       Cercis (E. Redbud)                                                                          Maclura (Osage Orange)                                                                        Tsuga (Hemlock)                                 Chamaecyparis (F Cypress)                                                                   Markhamia       Ulmus (Elm)                                     Chilopsis (Desert Willow)                                                                   Maytenus (Mayten Tree)                                                                        Umbellularia (California Bay)                   Chionanthus (Fringe Tree)                                                                   Melaleuca       Vitex (NZ Chaste Tree)                          Chorisia (Floss-Silk Tree)                                                                  Melia (Chinaberry)                                                                            Zelkova (Sawleaf)                               Cinnamomum (Camphor)                                                                        Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood)                                                                    Zizyphus (Chinese Jujube)                       Cladrastis (Yellowwood)                                                                     Metrosideros                                                    Clethra (Lily-Of-The-Valley)                                                                Michelia                                                        Comus (Dogwood)                                                                             Morus (White Mulberry)                                          Corynocarpus (NZ Laurel)                                                                    Myoporum                                                        Cotinus (Smoke Tree)                                                                        Myrica (PW Myrtle)                                              Crataegus (Hawthorn)                                                                        Nyssa (Black Tulepo)                                            Cryptomeria (J Cedar)                                                                       Olea (Olive)                                                    Cunninghamia (China Fir)                                                                    Oxydendrum (Sorrel Tree)                                        Cuponiopsis (Carrotwood)                                                                    Parkinsonia (Jerusalem Thorn)                                   Cupressocyparis                                                                             Phellodendron (Amur Cork)                                       Cupressus (Cypress)                                                                         Phytolacca (Umbu)                                               Cydonia (Quince)                                                                            Picea (Spruce)                                                  Dalbergia (Sissoo)                                                                          Pinus (Pine)                                                    Elaeagnus (R Olive)                                                                         Pistacia (Pistachio)                                            Efiobotrya (Loquat)                                                                         Pittosporum                                                     Erythrina (Coral Tree)                                                                      Platanus (Sycamore)                                             Eucalyptus    Platycladus (O Arborvitae)                                      __________________________________________________________________________    ORNAMENTAL HOUSEPLANTS                                                        __________________________________________________________________________    Abutilon                                                                             Celosia Echinocactus                                                                          Kohleria                                                                             Platycerium                                                                          Torenia                                  Acacia Celsia  Echinocereus                                                                          Lachenalia                                                                           Pittosporum                                                                          Tradescantia                             Acalypha                                                                             Cephalocereus                                                                         Echium  Lantana                                                                              Plectranthus                                                                         Trichocereus                             Achimenes                                                                            Ceropegia                                                                             Epidendrum                                                                            Lapageria                                                                            Pleione                                                                              Tropaeolum                               Adiantum                                                                             Cestrum Epiphyllum                                                                            Leptospermum                                                                         Plumbago                                                                             Tulipa                                   Adromischus                                                                          Chamaecereus                                                                          Episcia Leucadendron                                                                         Polianthes                                                                           Vallota                                  Aechmea                                                                              Chamaedorea                                                                           Erica   Lilium Polypodium                                                                           Veltheimia                               Aeoniumn                                                                             Chamaerops                                                                            Erythrina                                                                             Limonium                                                                             Primula                                                                              Venidoarctotis                           Aeschynanthus                                                                        Chirita Eucalyptus                                                                            Lippia Prostanthera                                                                         Venidium                                 Agapanthus                                                                           Chlorophytum                                                                          Eucharis                                                                              Lycaste                                                                              Protea Vinca                                    Agave  Chorizema                                                                             Eucomis Malvaviscus                                                                          Punica Vriesea                                  Aglaonema                                                                            Chrysanthemum                                                                         Eupatorium                                                                            Mammillaria                                                                          Rebutia                                                                              Vuylstekeara                             Allamanda                                                                            Cineraria                                                                             Euphorbia                                                                             Mandevilla                                                                           Rechsteineria                                                                        Wilsonara                                Aloe   Cissus  Exacum  Maranta                                                                              Reinwardtia                                                                          Zantedeschia                             Alonsoa                                                                              Citrus  Fabiana Martynia                                                                             Rhipsalidopsis                                                                       Zebrina                                  Amaryllis                                                                            Cleistocactus                                                                         Fatshedera                                                                            Maurandia                                                                            Rhododendron                                                                         Zephyranthes                             Ananas Clerodendrum                                                                          Fatsia  Maxillaria                                                                           Roicissus                                       Anchusa                                                                              Clianthus                                                                             Faucaria                                                                              Medinilla                                                                            Ricinus                                         Anthurium                                                                            Clivia  Ferocactus                                                                            Miltonia                                                                             Rochea                                          Aphelandra                                                                           Cobaea  Ficus   Mitraria                                                                             Rondeletia                                      Aporocactus                                                                          Coccoloba                                                                             Fittonia                                                                              Momordica                                                                            Ruellia                                         Araucaria                                                                            Codiaeum                                                                              Freesia Monstera                                                                             Saintpaulia                                     Arctotis                                                                             Coelogyne                                                                             Fuchsia Moraea Salpiglossis                                    Ardisia                                                                              Coleus  Gardenia                                                                              Musa   Salvinia                                        Aristochia                                                                           Columnea                                                                              Gasteria                                                                              Mutisia                                                                              Sanchezia                                       Arum   Cordyline                                                                             Geogenanthus                                                                          Narcissus                                                                            Sansevieria                                     Asclepias                                                                            Coronilla                                                                             Gerbera Neoregelia                                                                           Sarracenia                                      Asparagus                                                                            Coryphantha                                                                           Gladioius                                                                             Nepenthes                                                                            Saxifraga                                       Aspidistra                                                                           Crassula                                                                              Globba  Nephrolepis                                                                          Schizanthus                                     Asplenium                                                                            Crinum  Gloriosa                                                                              Nerine Schlumbergera                                   Astrophytum                                                                          Crocus  Guzmania                                                                              Nerium Scindapsus                                      Asystasia                                                                            Crossandra                                                                            Gymno-calycium                                                                        Nidularium                                                                           Sedum                                           Babiana                                                                              Cryptanthus                                                                           Gynura  Nopalxchia                                                                           Selaginella                                     Begonia                                                                              Ctenanthe                                                                             Haemanthus                                                                            Nymphaea                                                                             Senecio                                         Beloperone                                                                           Cunonia Haworthia                                                                             Odontoglossum                                                                        Ssinningia                                      Billbergia                                                                           Cuphea  Hedera  Odontonia                                                                            Smithiantha                                     Blechnum                                                                             Cupressus                                                                             Hedychium                                                                             Ophiopogon                                                                           Solanum                                         Bougainvil                                                                           Cycas   Heliocereus                                                                           Oplismenus                                                                           Sollya                                          Bouvardia                                                                            Cyclamen                                                                              Heliotropium                                                                          Opuntia                                                                              Sonerila                                        Brunfelsia                                                                           Cymbidium                                                                             Hibiscus                                                                              Ornithogalum                                                                         Sparmannia                                      Byophyllum                                                                           Cyperus Hippeastrum                                                                           Pachystachys                                                                         Sphathiphylium                                  Caladium                                                                             Datura  Hoya    Pamianthe                                                                            Sphaeralcea                                     Calandrinia                                                                          Dendrobium                                                                            Hyacinthus                                                                            Paphiopedilum                                                                        Stapelia                                        Calathea                                                                             Dianella                                                                              Hydrangea                                                                             Parodia                                                                              Stephanotix                                     Calceolaria                                                                          Dianthus                                                                              Hymonocallis                                                                          Passiflora                                                                           Strelitzia                                      Callicarpa                                                                           Dicentra                                                                              Hypoestes                                                                             Pelargonium                                                                          Streptocarpus                                   Callistemon                                                                          Dicksonia                                                                             Impatiens                                                                             Pellaea                                                                              Streptosolen                                    Camelia                                                                              Dieffenbachia                                                                         Hypocyrta                                                                             Pellionia                                                                            Sstrobilanthes                                  Campanula                                                                            Dionaea Impatiens                                                                             Pentas Tecomaria                                       Canna  Dipladenia                                                                            Ipomoea Peperomia                                                                            Telopea                                         Cantua Dizygotheca                                                                           Ixia    Peristrophe                                                                          Tetrastigma                                     Capsicum                                                                             Dracaena                                                                              Jacobinia                                                                             Philesia                                                                             Thunbergia                                      Caralluma                                                                            Drosera Jasminurn                                                                             Philodendron                                                                         Tibouchina                                      Casia  Eccremocarpus                                                                         Jovellana                                                                             Phoenix                                                                              Tigridia                                        Cattleya                                                                             Echeveria                                                                             Kalanchoe                                                                             Pilea  Tillandsia                                      __________________________________________________________________________

It is evident from the above results and discussion that usefulfertilizer compositions capable of enhancing plant growth are provided.The subject fertilizer compositions are relatively simple formulationsin that they include a minimum of agents, and are readily prepared.Despite their simplicity, the subject compositions provide forsubstantial plant growth enhancement.

All publications and patent applications cited in this specification areherein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication orpatent application were specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference. The citation of any publication is for itsdisclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as anadmission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate suchpublication by virtue of prior invention.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes andmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit orscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for enhancing plant growth in a crop,said method consisting of:applying to said crop at a rate of 0.25 to 10gal/acre a fertilizing composition consisting of: (a) water; (b) folicacid; (c) pyridoxine; and (d) a carbohydrate source in an amount rangingfrom about 100,000 to 900,000 ppm w/w; which composition after dilutionof at least 20-fold has a folic acid concentration in an amount rangingfrom about 0.5 to 20 ppm and pyridoxine in an amount ranging from about0.5 to 20 ppm; said diltuted composition enhancing plant growth.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said carbohydrate source is amonosaccharide, disaccharide or derivative thereof.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein said carbohydrate source is selected fromthe group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, lactose,sorbitol, and mannitol.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidfolic acid is present in said composition after dilution in an amountranging from about 0.50 to 10 ppm w/w.
 5. The method according to claim1, wherein said pyridoxine is present in said composition after dilutionin an amount ranging from about 0.50 to 10 ppm w/w.
 6. A method forenhancing plant growth in a crop, said method consisting of:applying tosaid crop at a rate of 0.25 to 10 gal/acre a fertilizing compositionconsisting of: (a) water; (b) folic acid; (c) pyridoxine; (d) acarbohydrate source in an amount ranging from about 100,000 to 900,000ppm w/w; and (e) a complexing agent which composition after dilution ofat least 20-fold has a folic acid concentration in an amount rangingfrom about 0.5 to 20 ppm and pyridoxine in an amount ranging from about0.5 to 20 ppm; said diltuted composition enhancing plant growth.
 7. Themethod according to claim 6, wherein said carbohydrate source is amonosaccharide, disaccharide or derivative thereof.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein said carbohydrate source is selected fromthe group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, lactose,sorbitol, and mannitol.
 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein saidcomplexing agent is selected from the group consisting of: humic acid,fulvic acid, a lignosulfonate; and citric acid.
 10. The method accordingto claim 6, wherein said folic acid is present in said composition afterdilution in an amount ranging from about 0.50 to 10 ppm w/w.
 11. Themethod according to claim 6, wherein said pyridoxine is present in saidcomposition after dilution in an amount ranging from about 0.50 to 10ppm w/w.
 12. A method for enhancing plant growth in a crop, said methodconsisting of:applying to said crop at a rate of 0.25 to 10 gal/acre afertilizing composition consisting of: (a) water; (b) folic acid; (c)pyridoxine; (d) a carbohydrate source, wherein said carbohydrate sourceis present in said composition in an amount ranging from about 100.000to 900,000 ppm w/w; and (e) a complexing agent which composition afterdilution of at least 20-fold has a folic acid concentration in an amountranging from about 1.0 to 5.0 ppm and pyridoxine in an amount rangingfrom about 1.0 to 5.0 ppm; said diltuted composition enhancing plantgrowth.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said carbohydratesource is a monosaccharide, disaccharide or derivative thereof.
 14. Themethod according to claim 13, wherein said carbohydrate source isselected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose,galactose, lactose, sorbitol, and mannitol.
 15. The method according toclaim 12, wherein said complexing agent is selected from the groupconsisting of: humic acid, fulvic acid, a lignosulfonate; and citricacid.